AutoFlight has formally launched the airworthiness certification process for its V5000 Matrix heavy eVTOL, following a mixed-fleet formation demonstration involving three aircraft in Kunshan, China. The flight combined one V5000 Matrix, a 5.7‑ton eVTOL platform, and two V2000‑series aircraft to validate multi‑aircraft operations.
The formation sortie was used to test communication links, trajectory planning, flight coordination and safety control between 5‑ton and 2‑ton class vehicles under operational conditions. It comes after a public transition flight of the V5000 Matrix in February 2026, moving the program from R&D validation into a standardized airworthiness approval process for the cargo hybrid‑electric variant V5000CGH.
The V5000CGH is designed for heavy regional logistics, offering a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg, a 1.5‑ton payload, a 14 m³ cargo bay sized for two AKE containers, a cruise speed of 280 km/h and a range of up to 1,500 km. The Matrix platform targets low‑altitude logistics, large‑scale emergency response, maritime and offshore support, and regional air transport.
Within AutoFlight’s portfolio, the V5000 Matrix complements the smaller V2000 family. The V2000CG CarryAll has already obtained full airworthiness, production and airworthiness certificates from the Chinese aviation authority, while the V2000EM Prosperity is progressing through conformity verification.